Menu of appreciation: Elks breakfast served for area veterans

Elks breakfast served for area veterans

The Jamestown Benevolent Order of Elks has maintained a tradition of honoring veterans that began at the conclusion of World War I and continues to the present on Veterans Day on Wednesday.

From 9 a.m. until around noon, Elks Lodge 263, located at 339 E. Fourth St., proudly served a made-to-order breakfast for military veterans. This tradition has been in place since 1919, making it a centennial-plus event.

"We've been making breakfast for more than 100 years," said Rob White, a trustee with the Elks Lodge. "We're a benevolent order, and serving those who've served our nation is a natural fit."

White explained the military veterans tend to arrive at the lodge in two separate waves.

"We get a big rush of people at 9 a.m., and then we get another wave at around 11," he said. "We get anywhere from 80 to 100 veterans coming to our event."

While this program is Elks-centric, it also receives support from the local school district.

Local elementary school youth custom-make the table placemats, added Emily Boskat, the lodge's esquire.

Serving hot meals to military veterans is a valuable act of service that appears to be well received by those it aims to support, making this program a boon for vets.

"We've been coming here for a couple of years now," said Air Force Veteran Charlie Lesky of Jamestown.

Leskey was joined at the table by his military veteran friends, which included Andrew Bly, an Army veteran, and John Haller, an Air Force veteran.

"This is a wonderful thing they (Elks) do for us," added Bly.

"I would still come even if this was offered at O-six hundred hours," said Haller.

Other veterans also were thankful.

"It's a good breakfast, and we get to socialize and share stories," said Dave Krieg, a veteran of the United States Navy, Quartermaster, Petty Officer Second Class.

Across the dining room, veterans could be heard sharing tales of service, jokes, and military humor/sarcasm – all with smiles on their respective faces.

Throughout the dining room, veterans could be heard sharing stories of their service, along with jokes and military humor, all while sporting smiles on their faces.

"I was in real service," said Bob Marlatt, a Spec. 4 veteran of the United States Army during the Korean War. He cracked a joke to his friend Krieg (Navy), who sat at the table with him.

"This is what it’s all about, serving our veterans and putting a smile on their faces," said Andy Luizzo, a member of the Elks lodge who was also pulling double duty as a waiter/server. "We're free because of their sacrifices and service."